Reinforced concrete structure.



PATENTED JULY 16, 1907.

S. H. LEA. REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURE APPLICATION FILED SBPT.22.1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

HWENTU haw/7m ATTORNEYS WITNESSES M L7 PATENTED JULY 16, 1907 H. LEA.

REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT 22. 1906.

2 SHEETSSHEE'L 2.

/NVE VTOH Ja/n aeZ/Z. [Zea ATTUH/VE Y3 SAMUEL H. LEA, Ol PIERRE, SOUTH DAKOTA.

' 1-iwo.;s6o,31-

To all whom it mciy concern:

llefit known that 1, San Uni. H. LEA, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Pierre, in the county oLHughesand' State of South Dakota, have invented a-new andlmproved Reinforced Concrete Structure,

di -which the"t'ollotving is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invent'ion relates to certain improvements in concrete structure, particularly adaptable for use as bridge piers,"caissons, or the like, and comprises a -strong skeletonirame of steel having its inner and outer faces covered with expanded metal or wire mesh and the annular space tilled with concrete. When this structurehardens, it becomes a strong shell ol the ex- .act shape required and can be transported and sunk in, place without the use of cotter-dams or sheet piling.

Referenceds to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part ol thisspecilication, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all theligures, in which Figure l is a side elevation of abridge pier involving myv improved construction, a portion thereof being broken away on the line l-1 of Fig. 2; Fig. 2 is a horizontal section, on the line 2-2 of Fig. l; and Fig. 3 is a. vertical section on the line of Fig. l.

This invention comprises essentially a hollow structure consisting of a double framework of iron or steel bars bolted or riveted together in a substantial manner and forming when complete a structure which may be, either circular, oblong, poly onal or any required shape in'cross section. The inner and outer surfaces are covered with expanded metal, wire, lath, wire fabric or other suitable metal construction, so as to form diaphragms over the inner and outer surfaces. These are covered with cement mortar topresent smooth outer surfaces/and later the annular space between the two diaphragms is lilled with concrete. The sides of the structure are held at the proper distance apart by iron or steel braces, and the lower part of the framework is preferably bolted or otherwise securely fastened to a stcelor iron shoe, designated as the cutting edge.

- In the speciliciorm of my invention which 1 have illustrated in the drawings and which is designed for use as a bridge pier, I employ a mhtal framework made up of small angle irons and channels. The inner and outer walls are spaced apart by metal lattice-work frames 1, and these are connected together by channels or angle irons 2, extending along the inner and outer sides. To give the structure a greater rigidity bracing-bars 3 of any suitable character may extend across the pier from opposite sides as shown in Figs. 2 and .3.- The hollow t'rainework thus constructed has its entire inner and outer surfaces covered with wire fabric, lath, or other suitable means 4, and has the innor and outer layers 5 of the b st quality of cement mortar. The iron or steel shoe 0, secured to the lower Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed Septembe 22, 1906. Serial No. 335,780.

RE INFbRCEI) CONCRETE STRUCTURE latented Jur 16, 1907.

end of the structure, has its outer surface in alinement with the outer surface of the body portion and its lower side terminates in a sharp edge 7 adapted to cut into the sand or other material upon which the structure is supported. This shoe 6 may be secured to the body 1 portion in any suitable manner but preferably has two upwardly-extending danges 8 in alinement with the inner and outer surfaces of the body portion and firmly bolted or otherwiso'secured to the main metal framework. The annular space within the walls may be filled with concrete 9 at the time the structure is built up, or it may be inserted after the structure has been sunk in the desired location, and after the space is entirely tilled, a suitable coping of reinforced concrete 10 or cut stone may be placed upon the upper end to give .the structure a finished appearance.

This form'oi structurcauay be used for a bridge pier, an abutment, a bulkhead, or i'or other similar purposes, and may also be used as an open caisson, or as a pneumatic caisson, in the latter case an airtight cover being necessarily placed at the top or at any height between the top and bottom and provided with the necessary valve and air lock. When usedns an open caisson, the structure is sunk at the required place and the material within tho-open interior space may-be removed by a derrick, dredge, bucket, or by centrifugal or other form of pump, the same as in the case it is used as a. bridge pier; but in the latter case this interior space may be filled with earth, broken rock, or concrete, while in the .lormer it would remain open and permit of the placing 01' any suitable foundation work upon the bed 01' the river, This form 01 construction possesses strength, durability and portability as compared with such terms as are in general use. The steel framework affords the necessary strength and rigidity and is thoroughly protected from rust by the concrete which is practically indestructible and which affords weight and solidity. The structure can be either previously 'ma'dc as a whole and put in place at once, or it may be made in sections and put together as it settles in place. In the casc'oi a small pier, abutment, or bulkhead, re quired for use in an isolated placewhere labor and material'arc scarce, the structure can be made at the factory and shipped to the place oi use where it may be placed in position with the minimum of labor. The structure can be settled in place by itsown'weight, or if this is not sullicient, additional weight to the required amount may be applied. The material inside is excavated or pumped out as may be most convenient, and when the structure rests securely on the bottOB'l the lower interior portion is filled with concrete out to the cutting edge of the shoe to afford a firm b'earhig. Ii:

space inside the hollow pier may be filled with concrete, stone, gravel, or with ordinary earth, as maybe preferred. If it is dcsired to save Weight on the loundations the interior space may be left vacant oronly partially filled. The coping upon the upper edge may be secured to the sub-structure by means of iron or steel bars or bolts, or cemented thereto, as may be most suitable, the whole forming a complete pier or other structure of good appearance, strong, substantial and lasting.-

For foundations under water the structure may be put togetheron a barge or platform directly over the place where it is to be used and built up to the full I height, or to such height as will allow the top to project above the water when the cutting edge rests on the bottom. The structure this form is placed in the exact position required and is settled in its place by the' weight'ot' the top portion as it is built. up, or if this weight is not sutficient additional weight is put on as required. I

If desired, the cement mortar coating may be placed only on the outer side previous to the sinking of the structure, While the inner coating may be supplied after i the material within the central portion has been ex- Qavated or pumped out.

for the main body of the wall. The inner and outer coatings of cement mortar constitute walls forming a mold and no outside form or boxing is required; thus all expense and work required to provide. and employ the former box or Walls of the molds is entirely obviated.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A portable reinforced concrete structure, comprising a hollow body formed of a suitable metal frame, inner and outer walls of reticulated metal secured to said frame, in; rs of cement mortar secured to each of said metal walls, and a metal shoe secured to the lower end of the structure and closing the spucc between said walls, said shoe terminatingin n cutting edge.

2.. A portable reinforced concrete structure, comprising a hollow double-walled body formed of a suitable metal lramc. inner and outer walls of reticulated metal secured to said frame. braces connecting opposite sides of said frame and extending across the body portion, layers of cement mortar secured to said metal walls, and a metal shoe secured to the lower end of the Sl'l'llK' tlll and closing the space between said walls, said shoe terminating in a cutting edge in alinement with the-outer walls of the hotly.

5;. A portable reinforced concrete structure. comprising :1 hollow body rectangular in cross section and having inner and outer walls of reticulated metal, a suitable frame for supporting said walls. brnces extending across said body. layers of cement mortar secured to each of said metal walls. a metal shoe secured to the lower end of the structure and (losing the spacc between said walls. said shoe tcrminatim. in a cutting edge in alinement with the ouicr walls of the body. and :1 filling of concrete hctween said walls and held in place by cement mortar.

in testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in [he prcscncc of two subscribing witnesses.

SAMUEL n. LEA.

\Vitnesscs:

llo.\.\'r: IIUHIYSON, .\l. A. Lama, 

